Canada was one of the countries discussed as a possible export market for
Ram Systems, and one in which Johnson had already established business
contacts. As Ram began to move forward in its business development with
Canada, the Commercial Service's Christian counseled Johnson on NAFTA issues
and on use of the NAFTA Certificate of Origin for potential shipments of
Ram's radiometric camera systems.
With the assistance of the Commercial Service Office in Vancouver,
Christian supplied Johnson NAFTA documentation information and introduced
her to a Canadian customs broker that helps clients with specific NAFTA
issues. Christian also connected Johnson with a Portland area law firm for
assistance with immigration issues that would affect Ram Systems' ability to
bring U.S. pilots into Canada and Canadian pilots into the U.S. for
training.
Johnson soon reported that Ram Systems operated two
radiometric systems in conjunction with two Canadian companies that contract
with the Canadian government to fight wild fires in 2003. Johnson said that
these services were valued at approximately $600,000.
The Portland USEAC is one of 108 domestic offices and more than 150
offices around the world, helping make exporting easier and business more
profitable for entrepreneurs like Jill Johnson.
